AGITATION IN JAPAN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 May 1940, Page 5

AGITATION IN JAPAN

PROPOSALS TO LINK UP WITH AGGRESSORS DEMANDS SAID TO BE GROWING. ATTITUDE OF FORMER. AMBASSADOR. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. TOKIO, May 23. European developments have resulted in a great increase in the activities of elements favouring Japan’s participation on Germany’s side, with the East Indies as the desired reward. The vernacular newspapers continue to urge reconsideration of noninvolvement policy to give Japan “power of attorney and a free hand” regarding the Indies. They also assert that Germany would uphold Japan whatever action was taken in the south.

The former Ambassador in Rome, Mr Toshio Shiratori, in an interview, said: “Our place is with the totalitarian Powers. Ido not favour military action but advocate the fullest diplomatic and economic efforts on behalf of Germany. There is a growing demand to join Germany, which will be intensified in the event of Italy participating,” EMPHATIC DENIAL STATEMENT BY JAPANESE CONSUL-GENERAL. SYDNEY, May 24. The Japanese Consul, Mr Akiyama, communicated with the Federal Government repudiating the suggestion that Japan may enter the war simultaneously with Italy on the side of Germany. He added that the unswerving policy of the Japanese Government is strict neutrality and the maintenance of the status quo in the Pacific.